Wilmington patrols increased after gun violence

Man wounded in shooting arrested on firearm charge

Published: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 12:59 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 7:59 p.m.

As Wilmington's police chief beefed up patrols to respond to the recent upswing in gun violence, the man who survived a shooting in which a 17-year-old was killed early Thursday was arrested on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Darryl Dawud Terry, 29, of Wilmington, was booked into the New Hanover County jail at 4:11 p.m. Thursday and released on $15,000 bond at 7:52 p.m.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Ralph Evangelous said the department is supplementing its force by using off-duty officers to patrol on foot and in cars in neighborhoods most affected by the recent gunplay.

"One of the reasons we have to supplement is that we have 19 police officer position vacancies," Evangelous wrote in an email to City Manager Sterling Cheatham, noting that figure excludes officers in training, on sick leave or injured. He added that the department hopes to hire new recruits by mid-July.

Adding officers to the streets increased the likelihood that residents will share information, tips that could help investigators catch the culprits.

"We need the public's partnership, their eyes and ears," he said. "Their cooperation is paramount in order for us to be effective."

According to Wilmington Police Department Lt. Tom Witkowski, Terry was booked after receiving treatment for a gunshot to the leg and being questioned in the 1:30 a.m. shooting near the 1200 block of South Sixth Street in which Jeffrey Henry, 17, of Wilmington was killed.

Witkowski said it was not immediately clear what connection Terry and Henry had.

"Terry was walking on Kidder Street with someone else when two different groups engaged each other and there was some gunfire," Witkowski said.

The teen fell dead in a front yard at 1217 S. Sixth St. after running through the back.

Terry was found nearby in a backyard with the wound to his leg.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Wilmington Police Department at 343-3600. Information also may be submitted anonymously through Text-A-Tip. Enter Tip708 and the information, and send to 274637 (CRIMES).